3 - Steps

3.1 - Create an outline

The outline has the same name as the database (dbname.otl). For example, when the Basic database is created within the Sample application, an outline is created in the following directory: ARBORPATH/app/sample/basic/basic.otl

3.1.1 - Tools

To create or copy an outline or open an existing outline, use one of this tool:

If you open the same outline with two instances of the Essbase - Administration Services Console using the same login ID, each save overwrites the changes of the other instance. Oracle does not recommend this practice, as it can be difficult to keep track of the changes that are saved or overwritten.

3.3 - Add dimensions and members to the outline

You can add dimensions and member hierarchies to an outline in several ways:

The currency category and currency name are valid for the currency outline.

Dynamic Calc members in sparse dimensions do not have more than 100 children.

If a parent member has one child, and if that child is a Dynamic Calc member, the parent member must also be Dynamic Calc.

If a parent member has one child, and if that child is a Dynamic Calc, two-pass member, the parent member must also be Dynamic Calc, two-pass.

The two names of members of Boolean attribute dimensions are the same as the two Boolean attribute dimension member names defined for the outline.

The level 0 member name of a date attribute dimension must match the date format name setting (mm-dd-yyyy or dd-mm-yyyy). If the dimension has no members, because the dimension name is the level 0 member, the dimension name must match the setting.

The level 0 member name of a numeric attribute dimension is a numeric value. If the dimension has no members, because the dimension name is the level 0 member, the dimension name must be a numeric value.

Attribute dimensions are located at the end of the outline, following all standard dimensions.

> To verify an outline, see “Verifying Outlines” in the Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help.

3.9 - Saving Outlines

You can save outlines to the Essbase Server or to a client computer or network. By default, Essbase saves outlines to the database directory on Essbase Server. If you are saving changes to an outline, Essbase may restructure the outline. For example, if you change a member name from Market to Region, Essbase moves data stored in reference to Market to Region. Each time that you save an outline, Essbase verifies the outline to ensure that it is correct.

To save an outline, see “Saving Outlines” in the Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help.

3.9.1 - Saving an Outline with Added Standard Dimensions

If you add one or more new standard (nonattribute) dimensions, any data that existed previously in the database must be mapped to a member of each new dimension before the outline can be saved. For example, adding a dimension called Channel to the Sample.Basic outline implies that all previous data in Sample.Basic is associated with a particular channel or the sum of all channels.

3.9.2 - Saving an Outline with One or More Deleted Standard Dimensions

If you delete one or more standard (nonattribute) dimensions, the data associated with only one member of each deleted dimension must be retained and associated with a member of one of the other dimensions. For example, removing a dimension called Market from the outline implies that all of the data that remains in the database after the restructure operation is associated with a single, specified member of the Market dimension.

If you delete an attribute dimension, Essbase deletes the associations to its base dimension. See Working with Attributes.